I've only been to the Bonfire once but that was over 10 years ago when my tastes weren't quite what they are now. We went in to Embers only once which was about 3 years ago and found the buffet a bit dirty looking and unappealing. We ended up ordering from the Al La Carte menu instead and wasn't quite thrilled with the food.
This year we plan on going to the Clarion/Horizons buffet. Their web site states they have the buffet daily during the summer; I'm wondering what they consider summer since it wasn't open daily for your trip.:confused: Since we will be heading down this Saturday for a week, hopefully they will be open daily as we usually avoid places like that on the weekends. My oldest daughter really wants to go to a buffet for crab legs, so Horizons should do just fine. We will also hit some place for AYCE blue crabs, and of course numerous places for crab cakes.
I just came back from a week at OC. I've eaten at both places over the years. So my comments not only reflect the recent visits but previous ones.
Crab leg: The legs at The Bonfire were skinny, watery and small. This isn't the first time that they've been served this way. Overcooked?? The legs at The Embers were larger, meaty and "dry" not watery. Far superior.
The salad bar: The Bonfire had a large salad bar. Lots to choose from. Ample fruit. Everything looked fresh. The salad bar at The Embers was small, pretty standard stuff. The "fresh" fruit was pitiful.
The Prime Rib: The Bonfire is always busy. The turnover for the PR is quick. If you see a fatty portion being cut just wait a few minutes until a better cut comes along. If you don't want it dipped in the juice you have to tell the cutter in a loud voice NOT to dip it. The PR at The Embers doesn't move as fast. So if you don't like the current slab being sliced the wait is longer before the next slab comes out. Again, the senior citizen cutting the meats automatically dips the meat--after I told her twice not to dip. The third piece of meat I told her in a loud voice (not shouting) NOT to dip it and she didn't. She seemed annoyed with my request.
Other menu items: I didn't write down all the hundreds of items but I think The Bonfire has a bigger selection of other items. The soups were okay at both places. The Embers has pizza-cheese and pepperoni. The Bonfire had mini cheese burgers which my 4 year old loved. The macaroni at The Bonfire was excessively liquidy. Way too much cheesy sause. The macaroni at The Embers was excessively plain-out of the box. My 4 year old didn't care. The Embers had bbq pork and mashed potatoes. The Bonfire had soft crabs but it was a Saturday night so maybe that was a weekend item.
The restrooms: The men's room at The Bonfire is always dirty.:eek: During my recent visit one of the two toilets was clogged. I went back about 25 minutes later and the second one was also clogged. That meant no working toilets in the men's room! I told the manager who was occupied with seating people and he grunted something that sounded like "ok" and went about his business. When I left 20 minutes later the toilets were still clogged.:mad: Thank goodness neither one of my children had to use them. No excuse for consistant dirty restrooms. By the way, there was no diaper changing board at The Bonfire. So if you are a single dad with a youngster you have to use the floor. The restroom at The Embers was large and clean.
Lemonade: Expensive at both sites. The lemonade at The Bonfire tasted good. The lemonade at The Embers was watered down both evenings.
Deserts: The Bonfire had a larger selection. The Embers had a lot of cookies and soft ice cream. Not a big selection of cakes.
The wait staff: both places were efficent. I complained to the waiter about the crabs legs being small and he came back with huge ones just for me! I know they all share tips but I tipped him well and I made sure he knew it. At our last visit to The Embers the female waiter seemed flustered with all the tables and I had to flag her down for refills. On a previous night the waiter was friendly. My 9 year old asked me why he was so nice!
The decor at The Bonfire is very nice. It's kinda dark at The Embers.
The price: Both places charged $28 (rounded) for adults. My 4 year old ate for free at The Embers. The Bonfire charged that age group.
So who wins?? I really like my crab legs large and meaty. I don't like small, watery and skinny meat legs. Maybe I hit some bad nights I don't know. I like the selection at The Bonfire but I HATE the filthy restrooms. I like the PR at The Bonfire. I DON'T like watered down drinks. I like clean restooms.
So I think my next visit will depend upon which one I'm closest to, how hungry I am and which way the wind is blowing.
I tried to go to The Park Plaze buffet but there were 15 names waiting. It was too much to take my children out of the van just to look inside.
I ate only once at the Clarion Buffet and loved it. I would eat there before The Embers and The Bonfire. Not a large selection but what they had was good. But it's only available on Friday's and Saturday's.:( Their breakfast buffet was just okay:(
Sidebar: On the way down we stopped at McDonalds in Cambridge. I don't know what's worse. Hispanics who don't speak English (or refuse to) or American's who can speak English (beyond grunts) but who are STUPID.
We had the fast at Hall's. It was pretty nice. Kinda basic but a nice slection of fresh fruit. You have to think about the cost of breakfast. I have two children, One is 4 the other is 9. If we went to a "regular" sit down kind of restaurant I could have easily spent $15 to $20 dollars and that's with hoping the 4 year old eats whatever was ordered for him. For about $15 or less you have the option of 4-5 different entree's and cereals, fresh fruits, two guys dressed up as pirates and cute East European female waitresses.
Any questions ask away.